Position Details Dubai Professional Services Campus Services University of Birmingham, Dubai campus Salary: Competitive Grade 7 No. of positions: 1 Full time Location: Dubai, UAE Closing date: 4th September 2023
University of Birmingham Dubai Having established ourselves in Dubai International Academic City in 2018 we have now moved to our new state-of-the-art campus which opened in Sept 2021. These posts represent an excellent opportunity to join an ambitious World Top 100 University as we continue to grow our long-term strategic mission in Dubai, the UAE and the wider region. Our campus reflects the very best of Birmingham through our presence in Dubai. Background Professional Services Ethos Our ethos as a Professional Services team has been developed in line with the principles of being a Birmingham Professional . In particular here in Dubai this means that all Professional Services colleagues seek to collaborate effectively to ensure the needs of the whole campus community and our stakeholders are met. It also means that we work constructively together to provide a flexible range of service and support that adapt to the changing needs of the Campus as we grow. There are specific focal points in the academic cycle when all Professional Services team members will be expected to contribute regardless of their primary role, for example Welcome or Graduation. In addition, the duties listed below are illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of this post which is likely to change over time in response to the needs of the Campus and as you develop your experience and skills. You will have the opportunity to develop and may also need to specialise your duties further, over time, in agreement with your manager. In order to contribute to the success of the team and the University\xe2\x80\x99s vision for the Dubai Campus the Professional Services team will be seeking to continue to recruit and develop colleagues who display:

• a high level of intellectual aptitude;
• strong agility and a portfolio of skills that can adapt to meet changing circumstances;
• an innovative and creative mindset; and
• both an enterprising and entrepreneurial nature to support our growth and pursuit of excellence.

Department Overview The Operating & Developing Campus Services are a key part of the Professional Services support for the University\xe2\x80\x99s Dubai campus. This area of professional Services support delivers and maintains the campus environment in which students, staff and visitors can be taught, study, work and connect. The service provides the infrastructure and services that enable the campus to support the breadth of activity that makes a university community and supports an excellent student, staff and visitor experience. This includes a whole range of campus services from IT, AV, Lab Operations & Support, health & safety and building management to managing contracts for the provision of IT service support, facilities management, security, catering and transport. The team will work closely together in a flexible way to support the needs of the campus and to address day to day issues in a timely manner. Role Summary The Labs Operations Manager role has six key facets: (1) managing the day-to-day operations of the all the laboratories in Dubai Campus, (2) meeting and ensuring compliance, standard operating procedures, health & safety requirements for all the laboratories, (3) budgeting, procuring, and monitoring consumable supplies for all the laboratories. (4) Supervising, monitoring, and assisting with the delivery of lab sessions for multiple programs in various labs in Dubai Campus. (5) Supervising, guiding, and monitoring team of Lab Specialist (Grade 6) and Lab Technicians (Band 500) for efficient operations of labs and delivery of lab sessions for Dubai Campus. (6) To ensure laboratories and equipment are complaint with Good Laboratory & Clinical Practice and with applicable regulatory requirements. The Labs Operations Manager provides technical expertise, support, and guidance in lab operations for all the laboratories in Dubai campus. You will oversee the day-to-day operational management of the multiple labs and its facilities and assist the head of campus services and operations in efficient operations all the laboratories and delivery of lab sessions for Dubai Campus. You are expected to act as a team leader for all Lab Specialist (Grade 6) and Lab Technicians (Band 500) and coach and guide them as appropriate. The Labs Operations Manager should have an in-depth understanding of the lab operations, compliance, standard operating procedures, health & safety requirements, and experimental protocols. You will be able to use your in-depth knowledge to advise on procedures, identify and resolve problems, and proactively suggest solutions to issues which arise. You may occasionally need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate day to day lab operations requirements. Main Duties General

• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.
• Undertake continuous personal and professional development.

Job Specific Duties

• You will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations, maintenance and running of all the laboratories in Dubai Campus along with team of all Lab Specialist and Lab Technicians.
• You will use your in-depth knowledge of methods and procedures to advise on standard operating procedures for lab operations and lab practical sessions being used by Lab Specialist and Lab Technicians, Academics and/or students. This will involve communicating with academic colleagues at a range of levels and inexperienced students.
• You will need to be able to identify and resolve problems and suggest solutions regarding labs day to day operations and lab practical sessions.
• Carry out compliance, health and safety audits, risk assessments which will need you to use your judgment to assess the correct sop to use, and to consider how these may be improved, referring to your line manager for approval on any proposed changes.
• You will need to maintain accurate records of all the lab operations requirements, compliance visits, health and safety audits, risk assessments you carry out along with Campus Health & Safety Officer and your team of lab technicians.
• Ensure compliance with legislation for operations and management of all the laboratories in Dubai campus.
• Support and assist in monitoring, maintenance, and expenditure of Lab Operations budgets.
• You may contribute to internal and external audit procedures and to regulatory inspections.
• Act as the Health & Safety Officer for all the laboratories in Dubai campus, overseeing and ensuring compliance with local and statutory Health and Safety policies and procedures of university.
• Supervision and training of the lab technical staff as per requirement and changing local regulations.
• Supports equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others.
• Any other duties as may reasonably be required.
• Provide guidance as required to lab support staff or to academics as needed.
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of operations labs and delivery of lab sessions objectives and deadlines.
• Carry out administrative tasks related directly to the day-to-day operations of labs and delivery of lab sessions for relevant program.
• Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Assist in the recruitment of lab technical and other Lab outsourced staff as needed, completing the paperwork as required.
• Induction of all new members of staff and students in the Centre, particularly with regard to laboratory and experimentation policies and procedures.
• To liaise with the line manager and head of departments as appropriate.

Health and Safety duties

• Proactive support for health and safety within the laboratory. This may include being required to look after a communal area as part of your duties. Comply with all current rules and ensure all required assessments are in place, approved and up to date.
• Fully understand the safety aspects of equipment operation and be able to demonstrate/train staff (at all levels) on the correct usage of the equipment.
• Ensuring that regular maintenance processes are carried out and that appropriate records are maintained.
• Reporting and resolving any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to the relevant university officials, line manager and health and safety officer.
• Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by university and Dubai municipality, MOE local regulations for all the laboratories in Dubai campus.
• Post holders may be asked to undergo training as a First Aider and Fire Warden.
• Reporting of Lab Incident, keeping records and log.

General Administration and Lab Operations

• Maintaining the efficient running of laboratories, including ordering consumables and equipment\xe2\x80\x99s and maintenance and servicing of equipment along with Lab Operations team.
• With the Head of Campus Services and Operations, prepare and supervise budgets for all the laboratories in Dubai Campus including regular monitoring of budget.
• Monitoring compliance with financial policies and procedures for all activities (dealing with suppliers, invoicing procedures, procurement, and lab contracts).
• Be involved in negotiating and purchasing of new equipment and maintenance contracts for the laboratories.
• The post holder will be expected to contribute to both small and large capital building projects that will involve forward planning for space and equipment needs.
• To maintain appropriate databases, keeping accurate records of laboratory samples and reagents, chemical waste, staff training records and equipment maintenance/calibration certificates.
• Ensuring all compliance documents and records are accurate and kept up to date.
• Proactively maintain stocks of consumables, and when required instruct to generate purchase order requisitions using University Procurement systems.
• Receipt and correct storage of consumables/equipment and chemical reagents.
• Ensuring that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.
• Ensuring that PAT testing, calibration of equipment and locally and centrally held equipment inventories are up to date and maintained.
• Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures.
• Maintain a technical support-based teaching laboratory website/ lab manual (how to guides for the preparation of materials, practical setup guides), and keeping these up to date as and when session requirements or protocols change or maintaining relevant lab databases/records.

Other Duties

• In collaboration with the relevant manager the post holder will take an active role in the training and mentoring process for junior or newly appointed lab staff.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• BSc, MSc or PhD degrees in Electrical, Mechanical, Microbiology, Biomedical or a relevant subject area.
• Hands on practical experience in relevant skills and knowledge in managing the day-to-day operations of multiple laboratories in a university environment.
• Experience in lab management, operations, and organisation, and assisting undergraduate and postgraduate academics.
• Experience in managing team of lab technical staff and line management & supervision of staff.
• Experience of laboratory space/project management and major lab equipment procurement.
• Supporting the strategic goal of university and working as an ambassador for Labs in Dubai Campus.
• Ability to analyse information and communicate effectively.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Skills / Abilities

• Ability to work independently without reference to a supervisor with sound knowledge of laboratory safety.
• Excellent interpersonal skills & Good computer/IT skills.
• Desirable: NEBOSH Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health.
• Flexible and co-operative approach to colleagues.
• A demonstrable ability to cope under pressure.

Dimensions

• You will have some direct financial or staff management responsibility, working in conjunction with the Head of Campus Services and Operations. The role is focused on supporting delivery of a quality Lab sessions delivery to staff and students, working collaboratively with academic colleagues.

Planning and Organising

• You will be working in response to new lab development enquiries, and you will need to prioritise your own workload in order to deliver on schedule and at quality.

Problem Solving and decision making

• You will use your knowledge and expertise to analyse problems and identify and deploy solutions. Some issues may need you to make recommendations on the implementation of a longer-term plan. You will be able to proactively suggest improvements. You will be able to consult with your manager to discuss non-core work which will need sign off.

Internal and External relationships You will liaise with a wide range of staff and students, and colleagues in the wider team in order to ensure the delivery of a quality service. You will need to liaise with external suppliers.

For informal enquiries, please contact UOBD Campus Services, email: uobdcampusservices@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Valuing excellence, sustaining investment We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working .